Three Ross-shire villages could experience a population boom if councillors approve plans for 316 homes at today’s north planning committee.
The plans include 72 houses and three commercial units on the site of the former fish factory on Conon Bridge High Street; 104 homes on Black Isle Road, Muir of Ord and 140 houses at Thomas MacIver Street, Evanton.
Planners have recommended them all for approval.
The Conon Bridge application first came forward in 2015, and at that time included a GP surgery and two community heating plants, all of which have now been deleted in favour of a business unit, retail unit and hot food outlet.
Developer HPG (Inverness) Ltd is proposing 72 homes including 18 flats in three blocks, 16 terraced houses in four blocks, 32 semis/bungalows and four detached bungalows.
The development of an ‘eyesore’ site has been supported by neighbours, but they have also raised concerns about the design of the commercial unit, the high density of the houses, and the need for traffic calming measures to protect children walking to school.
In Muir of Ord, the 104 unit development by the Mackay, Robertson and Fraser Partnership would include up to 40 affordable homes, 15 of these being 1-2 bedroomed units targeted toward older people and those with specific housing needs.
Muir of Ord (Tarradale) community council has objected to the development on grounds of traffic management around Black Isle Road.
The 140-home development in Evanton is by Highland Housing Alliance.
Phase 1 includes 40 affordable houses in a mix of semi-detached houses and bungalows and eight 2-bed flats.
Kiltearn commonuity council has raised no objection, but neighbours’ representations have voiced concerns about privacy, wildlife and traffic manage flow.
